Plaza Midwood is losing a neighborhood hangout this weekend. Southern Strain Brewing Co. is shutting down its Central Avenue taproom after one last round of service this Saturday, with the brewery focusing its operations back on its original Concord home base. Staff and regulars are getting a proper send-off with a farewell "celebration of life" before the taps go quiet.
The Plaza Midwood spot is going out the way many locals got to know it: as a community room. The brewery’s events page lists a “Celebration of Life: Last Call Party” for Saturday, complete with live music, potluck-style food and a request that guests show up not just hungry and thirsty but also with "prospective job opportunities" or other support for staff between gigs. Musician John Dungan is slated to play, and the page nudges attendees to tip bartenders generously. For the full event rundown, see the Southern Strain Plaza Midwood events page.
According to The Charlotte Observer, the company is closing the Plaza Midwood taproom because its lease is coming to an end, and the location will finish service on Feb. 28. Staff shared the farewell on social media, framing the weekend party as a community send-off rather than a quiet fade-out. The paper also notes that the Concord taproom will keep pouring for customers.
Concord Taproom Remains the Home Base
Southern Strain’s original Concord taproom at 165 Brumley Ave. NE is staying put. That location continues to feature a full kitchen and a steady slate of weekly programming, including a live jazz brunch on Sundays. The Concord site lists hours, menu highlights and upcoming events for the weeks ahead. For specifics, check out Southern Strain's Concord taproom page.
Plaza Midwood's Taproom Churn
Plaza Midwood has been a magnet for new taprooms and eateries in the early 2020s, and Southern Strain’s Central Avenue outpost arrived right in the middle of that boom, as Axios Charlotte reported. At the same time, local coverage has tracked frequent turnovers and lease-driven changes along Central Avenue, a pattern that keeps reshaping the neighborhood’s restaurant and bar lineup. Southern Strain’s move to consolidate around its Concord base fits into a familiar story for operators managing multiple rooms and rising overhead.
What To Expect This Weekend
The farewell is billed as a low-key, community-focused send-off with music, stories and shared food. Organizers have specifically asked guests to come ready with tips and career leads to help staff through the transition. If Saturday’s goodbye party is not in the cards for you, Southern Strain’s Concord taproom will continue to host public events and keep regular hours. Expect the last day in Plaza Midwood to be busy, so plan ahead and, if you do swing by, consider taking that “tip your bartender” suggestion to heart.
